Zen Martial Arts Center

I visited 3 martial arts programs before choosing this one. I am so glad we found Zen Martial Arts! Sensei Oliver is great with kids and adults. He teaches so many concepts in an age appropriate way. I love that our values of respect for others, kindness, compassion and self control are reinforced in word and deed. We are grateful for this Sensei.

I simply can’t imagine a better dojo for my child. Mr. Oliver is patient, firm, and funny. He engages the kids with a variety of games, practice, and lessons in things like healthy eating, self-​discipline, and respect. I’m a teacher, so I recognize good teaching when I see it, and he’s one of the best. He praises kids for good work, good effort, and improvement, and lets them know when he needs them to do better. He encourages kids and gets the best out of them every class. I wish I had the time to take adult classes, and I’ve never been interested in martial arts myself! At Zen Martial Arts, it’s not just about the practice of karate; it’s about that and so much more — community service, values, and celebrating each student’s achievement. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I wasn’t looking for a karate instructor when I started karate classes with Sensei Oliver. I followed a good friend who had her own reasons for attending (that involved sons who also take classes from Sensei Oliver), into his adult beginner classes at Coloma Center. My friend had assured me that Sensei Oliver «just has a way about him» that fosters community and she was sure I would appreciate his approach and demeanor.
She didn’t even realize at the time that as a kid I’d taken karate classes from a man I’d feared and hated – had I decided to shop for instructors, I would have had a long list of requirements. Sensei Oliver would have met them all.
As another friend with children in Sensei’s class has said, «I heart Sensei Oliver.» He has a genius for personalized instruction among students of varying levels that doesn’t just address their skill needs but their broader, more holistic development as a student of Isshinryu karate, a training of the mind and character, as well as the body.
My friend’s description of him was perfect and in contrast to my prior experience, I respect and trust Sensei Oliver and deeply enjoy my training in his dojo and within the community he creates around it.

Sensai Oliver is great with the kids. My son is 5 and usually apprehensive to new environments. He was comfortable from the first class and has been ever since. I have seen his confidence grow and am very happy with this program.

This is an excellent martial arts community that my two kids and my husband have been a part of for the past year and a half. Mr. Oliver does a good job of making his school about much more than the fighting aspect of the martial arts. He focuses on developing the whole person and has a strong interest in community service as well. Students learn self defense, but they also learn situational awareness, confidence, humility, respect, and service-​mindedness.
By the way, That one-​star review someone gave earlier is absurd – sure, if you show up during the kids’ classes, it’s all kids there. If you attend during adult class time, it’s all adults.

We enrolled both of our kiddos (4 and 6) in Mr Oliver’s Zen Martial Arts after seeing the care he takes with every class and every child. It is not just about the Karate moves, kicks and punches in the dojo, Mr Oliver regularly talks about healthy eating, listening to parents and teachers, history of karate and the family tree… and the kids Love It! The real sign for me was when after class the kids from the class play together and didn’t just leave what they learned on the mat, they took it out to the play ground and showed respect for each other, encouraged each other and the kids with the higher belt ranks really did take the newer students under their wing to help. We especially saw this with Our son, 4, who had a tough transition into the class, he was scared and apprehensive, but Mr Oliver, Ms. Scott and the other kids in the class all encouraged him, showed patience and persistence and let him work in at his own pace. Now he asked us every day, «Is today Karate day?»

My son started at Zen Martial arts in 2009. Mr. Oliver was an amazing teacher and made the kids feel comfortable while still instilling discipline & encouraging the kids to give their best. My son developed by leaps & bounds becoming more comfortable in his body, more flexible, coordinated, aware, and accomplished. We were sad to leave the state & therefore the community that Mr. Oliver had established through this karate program. I HIGHLY recommend this program for kids who are interested in learning martial arts. If you are looking for a martial arts school then definitely check this one out! He will allow you to try out a few classes to make sure it’s a right fit for you or your child.